Flask-clamp



S. H. WILSON.

FLASK CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5, 92h

1,381,854. mm June 14, 1921 2 SHEETS-SHEET larromvsys s. H. WILSON,

FL'ASK LAMP. APPLICAIION FILED MAR. s. 1921.

Patented June 14, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHE ET 2.

WTZ'ORNE) UNITED STATES SAMUEL HOGG WILSON, 0F GLASGOW, SCOTLAJN'D.

FLASK-GLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 14, 1921.

Application filed March 5, 1921. Serial No. 450,055.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, SAMUEL Hose VIL- SON, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Cathcart, Glasgow, Scotland,

have invented certain new and useful Tmform upon which the flask, or flasks, can be placed and secured in suitable manner, the

arrangement being such that the flask, or

flasks, can be so mounted that, when inserted in the vulcanizing boiler, it, or they, will be supported above the level of the liquid therein. Suitable means are provided for retaining the platform in any position to which it may be adjusted.

Several clamps, constructed in accordance with the invention are illustrated, by way of example, on the drawings hereunto appended, whereon Figure 1 is an elevation and Fig. 2 a sectional detail, on the line 22 Fig. 1, of one form or embodiment and Figs. 3 and at are elevations, to a smaller scale, of similar clamps illustrating flasks in position therein. Figs. 58 each illustrates, in elevation, Fig. 5 partly sectional, another form or embodiment and Fig. 9 is a sectional detail, to a larger scale, on the line 99, Fig. 8.

Referring now to the embodiment illus trated by Figs. 1 1 of the drawings, the clamp comprises a base 10 whereon is mounted a yoke comprising serrated side members or uprights 11 of T section (see Fig. 2) and a crown or bridge piece 12 integral therewith. Mounted in the crown 12 is a pinching screw 13 having a thumb piece 141 and, loosely mounted thereon, a disk or clamping piece 15.

The platform 16 is-formed in two parts hinged or pivoted at 17 and has recesses 18 formed at the ends thereof for the reception of the side members 11. The side walls of th recesses 18 have lugs 19 formed thereon and embrace the wider portions of the side members 11 while the end walls 20 are so inclined to the base of the platform as to enable the latter to engage the teeth of the side members 11. The arrangement is such that by bending or flexing the platform about the pivot 17, as shown in dotted lines at F g. 1, it may be moved to any desired position and then straightened out to engage the teeth of the side member 11. During such movement the platform is prevented from disengaging from the side members by the lugs 19 which, when the platform is flexed, engage the wider portions of the sid members 11. An opening 21 is formed in the base 10 for the reception of the projecting portions of the platform 16 in order that the latter may, when lowered to its lowermost position for packingor storing, rest squarely on the base 10.

The clamp maybe used for holding one or mor flasks. lVhen a singleiflask is to be held the platform is moved upward in the clamp to the height desired and the flask is then inserted and retained in position between the platform 16 and the clamping piece 15 by means of the pinching screw 13, as illustrated by Fig. 3 of the drawings. If two flasks are to be held the platform is moved downward and both flasks are arranged above same and fastened by the pinching screw while in the case of three flasks the platform is lowered to the vicinity of the bottom of the clamp and the flasks placed one above the other between the platform and pinching screw which is thereafter tightened up, as illustrated by Fig. 4 of the drawings. The platform is slightly arched at the upper side so that pressure exerted at the center thereof bythe flasks will tend to maintain same in its extended position and in engagement with the teeth of the side members 11.

Referring now to Fig. 5 of the drawings, the essential feature of the embodiment here illustrated consists in the combination, with a flask clamp as previously described, of means whereby the flask, or flasks, can be clamped or secured on the platform while maintaining a constant overall height of the clamp. The device comprises a sleeve nut 22 rotatably mounted in the bridge piece 12 and having a thumb piece 23 at the upper end and a retaining collar 24:, let into the bridge piece, at the lower end thereof. Mounted in the nut 22 is a pinching screw 25 carrying a clamping piece 26.

This form of clamping device may be embodied in any form of clamp made in accord ance with the invention.

' bers.

The platform 16 in this construction is similar to that in the embodiment previously described but the serrations or notches in the side members 11 are of somewhat modified formation.

In the employment of such a clamp the platform 16 is adjusted to suit the number of flasks to be held and, when the flasks are mounted on the platform, the thumb piece 23 is rotated, thereby propelling the screw 25 and clamping piece 26 until the latter bears firmly'on the uppermost flask. Rotation of the screw 25 with the nut 22 may be prevented by hand or, if desired, the clamping piece 26 may be slotted for the reception of a guide depending from the bridge piece 12.

I In the embodiment illustrated by Fig. 6 of the drawings the platform may be adjusted, and automatically held in any adjusted position, by screw means. Each side member 11, instead of being serrated or notched, is screw threaded for a portion of its length. The platform 16, instead of being articulated, is rigid and, in addition to being slotted for engagement with the side members, is bifurcated at the ends for the reception of milled nuts 27 which are mounted on the screwed portions of the side members 11.

Adjustment is eflected by rotation of the nuts 27 and the flasks, when mounted on the platform, are secured by adjustment of the pinching screw 13.

Referring now to Fig. 7 of the drawings, in the embodiment here illustrated the side members are of circular cross section and are grooved'both circumferentially and longitudinally, the platform beingadjustable thereon, and retainable in any position to which it may be adjusted, by means of collars or equivalent having lugs thereon adapted to engage either the circumferential or longitudinal grooves in the side mem- The platform 16 is rigid and bifurcated, as described with reference to Fig. 6 and the side members 11 have circumferential and longitudinal grooves 28 and 29 therein. Milled collars 30 having lugs 31 (see inset figure) for engagement with the longitudinal grooves 29 are inserted in the bifurcated portions of the platform 16 and mounted on the side members 11.

lVith this arrangement, the collars 30 are adjusted until the lugs 31 register with the grooves 29 when the platform may be raised or lowered as desired. hen the desired adjustment is obtained it can be secured by turning the collars 30 until the lugs 31 move into grooves 28 out of register with the grooves 29.

In the embodiment illustrated by Figs. 8 and 9 means are provided for automatically locking the platform, in any position to which it may be adjusted, on the application of weight thereto. The platform'l6 is made in one piece slotted at the ends for engagement with the side members 11 and has lugs 32 on the underside thereof. The faces of the side members 11 which contact with the platform 16 and the lugs 32 thereon are smoothed to form bearing surfaces. Tapered recesses 33 are formed in the opposite walls of the slots in the platform 16 and liners 34, having tapered faces 35, inserted therein. Balls 36 are inserted between the liners 34 and the side walls of the members 11, the arrangement being such that in raising the platform 16 or in lowering same without the application of pressure, the balls 36 remain on the base of the liners 34 and admit of movement of the platform relative to the side members 11 but immediately downward pressure, or weight, is applied to the platform 16 the balls 36 are gripped between the liners 3e: and the members 11 and tend to mount the '85 inclined surfaces 35 whereupon they become jammed and prevent downward movement of the platform 16 relative to the side members 11. The application of downward pressure, or weight, to the platform 16 also tends todeflect same slightly and cause the lugs 32 to bear against the side members 11 and thereby tend still further to prevent relative movement between same and the platform 16. To release the balls to admit of further adjustment it is only necessary to raise the platform slightly.

An advantage derived from flasks constructed in accordance with this invention, in addition to that of adjustability and the possibility of maintaining the flasks above the level of the liquid in the vulcanizing boiler, is the rigidity obtained by the utilization of a closed frame or yoke.

Having now fully described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A flask clamp comprising, in combination, side members, a bridge piece uniting same and an adjustable platform beneath said bridge piece.

2. A flask clamp comprising, in combination, side members, a bridge piece uniting same, an adjustable platform beneath said bridge piece thereon and means for securing the platform in any position to which it is adjusted.

3. A flask clamp comprising, in combination, side members, a bridge piece uniting same, an adjustable platform beneath said bridge piece and a clamping device in connection with said bridge piece.

4. A flask clamp comprising, in combination, a base piece, side members projecting therefrom, a bridge piece uniting said side members and an adjustable platform mount ed on said side members beneath the base piece and bridge piece.

5. A flask clamp comprising, in combination, a base piece, side members projecting therefrom, a bridge piece uniting said side members, a clamping device in said bridge piece and an adjustable platform mounted on said side members between the base piece and bridge piece.

6. A flask-clamp comprising, in combination, serrated side members, a bridge piece uniting same and an adjustable platform adapted at its ends for engagement with the serrations of said side members and located beneath the bridge piece.

7. A flask clamp comprising, in combination, serrated side members, a bridge piece uniting same and an articulated platform adapted at its ends for engagement with the serrations of said side members.

8. A flask clamp comprising, in combination, ser 'ated side members, a bridge piece uniting same, a clamping device in said bridge piece and a platform, formed of hingeably connected parts, adapted at its ends for engagement with the serrations of said side members.

9. A flask clamp comprising, in combination a base piece having a central opening therein, serrated side members, a bridge piece uniting same and a platform articulated at the center and adapted at its ends for engagement with the serrations of said side members.

10. A flask clamp comprising, in combination, serrated side members of T section, a bridge piece uniting same and an articulated platform recessed at its ends for engagement with said side members and having inclined Walls adapted to engage the serrations of said side members.

11. A flask clamp comprising, in combination, serrated side members of T section, a bridge piece uniting same and an articulated platform recessed at its ends for engagement With said side members and having inwardly projecting lugs and inclined walls adapted to engage the serrations of said side members.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL HOGG WILSON.

Witnesses HUGH D. FITZPATRIGK, MARY GREEN. 

